A biting fuel shortage has hit Western, Rift Valley and Nyanza Provinces following the recent skirmishes experienced in the regions. 

Energy PS Partrick Nyoike and KPC Managing director George Okungu said Kenya Pipeline Company too has been affected forcing them to provide security to its officers working in the company's offices in the regions and provide military escort to trucks transporting fuel.

Nyoike decried the fuel crisis in Western Kenya saying fuel tankers were finding it difficult to deliver fuel due to the illegal roadblocks in the region

Okungu echoed the sentiments adding that several company employees have been evicted and their houses burnt down in those regions.

They were speaking after the company donated six tents worth 540,000 shillings to the Maendeleo ya Wanawake Organization to be used as offices for counseling the displaced persons in the country.

They said government will now use military personnel to escort fuel tankers to ensure the shortage is addressed.

Some parts of the country have reported a rise in the price of fuel with the few dealers who had supply of the commodity in Nakuru, increasing prices by between 5 shillings and 8 shillings.

A spot check by the Kenya News Agency revealed that RIVA Petroleum Company was retailing Premium Petrol, Diesel and Kerosene at 86.99, 75.99 and 65.99 shillings per liter respectively.

At Caltex, a liter of Super Petrol retailed at 86.49 shillings while Diesel was sold at 75.99 shillings with Oil Libya having the highest price hike with a liter of Super Petrol retailing at 91.99 shillings. 

At Seguton Service Station, a liter of super petrol retailed at 91.99 shillings. 

Nakuru town and its environs has also experienced an acute shortage of LPG gas whose price has also increased by between 25 and 40 percent.

The fuel crunch has also hit the manufacturing sector disrupting transportation of raw materials.

Fares on some routes have more than doubled with vehicles plying between Nakuru and Kisumu charging between 1,000 and 1,500 shillings up from the normal 250 and 400 shillings.

The shortage has also affected the economy of the neighbouring countries as hundreds of petroleum products' tankers are currently parked outside the KPC terminal in Nakuru due to fuel shortage and uncertainty occasioned by vandalism on the North Rift road network.

The increase in fuel prices has also increased commodity prices as retailers have hiked prices of their wares.